Moscow, Russia – Competing in near ideal conditions, Yulia Gromova, cruised to a 1:10:49 course record at the 16th Moscow International Half Marathon on Saturday.

A strong women’s field promised tough competition. Gromova, 33, who finished second in last month’s Los Angeles Marathon in 2:34:12, led the women’s pack from the start. Her main rival was Lyubov Morgunova, 23, winner of the 2008 Rotterdam Marathon (2:25:12), just three weeks ago on 13 April. Small in stature, Morgunova is a formidable presence on the course.

Gromova built her lead, gradually and steadily leaving Morgunova behind, to finish unchallenged, almost two minutes ahead of the runner up, in front of the beautiful St. Basil’s Cathedral, famous symbol of the Russian capital.